Arabic version: فتح تحقيق في حادثة سقوط قاتلة في كوينزلاند

A coronial inquest has commenced regarding the death of 50-year-old Dean Sanderson, who tragically fell while zip-lining with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours at Cape Tribulation in Far North Queensland in 2019. According to ABC News, the incident occurred during a tour that Sanderson and his wife were taking as part of a ‘bucket list’ trip following a serious health issue he had faced.

During the inquest, Shannon Sanderson recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the couple fell while zip-lining between two platforms known as “the grandstand” and “the edge” that were 86 metres apart. She described how they were traveling quickly when they suddenly dropped, leading her to scream for help. The couple fell to the jungle floor, where Dean was found unconscious next to her.

Shannon, a former cardiac nurse, noted that the staff at the zip-line facility appeared unprepared to handle the emergency situation. She described a delay of approximately five minutes before help arrived, during which time another tourist had to instruct staff on how to use the defibrillator to assist her husband.

Witness Andrew Hayward, who was part of the same tour group, recounted hearing a “crack” before feeling the platform shake. He indicated that after the incident, he was not informed of Sanderson’s death until much later, and he experienced injuries himself that were not immediately treated.

The inquest is expected to continue until Thursday, with additional witness testimonies scheduled for March 10.